Manchester United could turn to Iker Casillas to replace David De Gea

Wanted: Casillas could be a target for Manchester United (Picture: Getty).

Sir Alex Ferguson could be ready to capitalise on Iker Casillas’ growing rift with Jose Mourinho by attempting to lure the Real Madrid goalkeeper to Manchester United.

There are claims Ferguson has become increasingly frustrated with David De Gea’s aerial vulnerability and is seeking to bring in a more authoritative stopper to shore up the Red Devils’ defence next season.

And with Spain No.1 Casillas currently out of favour with Mourinho at the Bernabeu, Ferguson may see the Madrid superstar as the answer to his quest for a reliable figure between the sticks.

De Gea was at fault as Premier League leaders United allowed Tottenham to grab an injury-time equaliser at White Hart Lane on Sunday, when his weak attempt to punch away Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s cross fell to Aaron Lennon and his pass was clipped home by Clint Dempsey.

It only heightened concerns that the 22-year-old – who at £17.8million was Britain’s most expensive goalkeeper when bought from Atletico Madrid in June 2011 – struggles to cope with the physical nature of the English top flight and has lost the confidence of his team-mates on crosses, although his shot-stopping cannot be faulted.

Ferguson is also unsure over the reliability of his other keeper, Anders Lindegaard, and has not played the Dane since he conceded three goals at Reading in early December.

The Old Trafford boss may now decide to look at an older, more experienced player with 31-year-old Casillas now seen as a genuine option, especially after his own future at the La Liga champions looks increasingly uncertain.

Sir Alex Ferguson appears to have finally lost patience with David de Gea (Picture: AFP)

Casillas has endured a strained relationship with Mourinho at Madrid, having been dumped on the bench in recent games for his understudy Antonio Adan, and it could prompt Ferguson to launch an audacious summer bid for the captain of world and European champions Spain.

With Mourinho’s own future at the Bernabeu also unclear, however, Casillas may decide to sit it out and hope the Portuguese quits the club in the summer, especially if a high-profile job in the English premier League becomes available.